Scared of carbon monoxide poisoning

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hi all... I'm in need of some advise. I just moved into a apartment and have been feeling Ill... I checked my co detector and it has NO expiration date and was chirping and the office won't replace it. And my dog has been acting super weird since we moved in... Like barking all the time and wanting to run out. I'm not only worried about my family but the other 700 tentants.... And how many other people that have expired ones. I'm going crazy over this!!

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    First of all you can call the city inspector or fire department, not only will they check to see if there is a leak but they will give the place a bevy fine. Also they sell them for pretty cheap at the store. Walmart or something. I feel bad for you because I spent 2 years in a house that I thought was leaking gas. It was not but I always believed it did. Damn anxiety! I hope you get this settled soon. 
    • Posted

      Thank you Beth. I called the fire department and said to have the maintenance look at it and open my window. I did buy a cheap co detector and it seems fine but I’m still super dizzy... so I’m wondering if that’s just from the anxiety! I couldn’t imagine living like that for 2 years!!! I feel your pain. I’m glad you don’t have to deal with that now,
    • Posted

      I’m trying to NOT rush to the er to have them check my blood. Also my other family members aren’t having any symptoms 
    • Posted

      It is most definitely your anxiety! Just  combat reason, the steps you took to make sure it was safe, and that it is true. I heard somewhere to say “this is a feeling, not a symptom” to myself and I have to tell you it works. I have dizzy spells all the time when I’m anxious.. it sucks! 
    • Posted

      Thank you Beth so much for your advise. I will try and do that... I have severe health anxiety and my husband thinks I'm crazy, always looking for reassurance. I just have to keep telling myself the facts. That I'm the only one feeling dizzy and that my new Co detector isn't going off. But still concerned my dog can sense it. We just moved there and he is always barking and wants to run out.. and that's not like him. Do you think animals can sense something wrong?

  • Posted

    I do think pets can since it but I also think the dog is feeding off of your energy. I have 3 dogs but one is a mini Aussie, he gets seizures every time I go into an anxiety fit... so I honestly try to fake emotions sometimes in sake of the dog. Lol... the co detector would be going off if there was a threat. Take care.. 
  • Posted

    Likelihood is your dog is anxious too from having moved to a new location. It's unfamiliar territory, so he's gonna be a little on edge. Much like you, your anxiety is making you feel ill.

    You've taken sensible steps to flag the issue, checked with the right people, got a replacement detector which is fine and as you've said your family are not affected. Take care x

    • Posted

      Yes thank you so much for your reply. I came home today, in a much better attitude about it and less worried and amazingly tonight... For the first night since we've been here, my dog is calmer. They do feed off our energy!! I hate this health anxiety. I finally feel like I can breathe... But my mind is now self consciously trying to find something else to worry about. How do I fight this visious cycle?? Any advise??

    • Posted

      Hi Christina,

      The only way I've been able to get through my own cycle was to reduce or cut the key things contributing to feeding it such as googling or health apps, read self help books (highly recommend "Help me, I'm a hypochondriac" by Philip Martin's) and trust in the doctors diagnosis/test results.

      My circle started with being checked for my heart (results fine), hemangioma on my tongue (told me it was normal), skin (moles etc all fine), benign mole on my vulva (that was the worst, had it removed but results came back normal. Still sometimes paranoid about the scarring left behind), thyroid (positive for potential issues later but only slightly boderline out at the moment so no treatment), head issues etc etc. and in that space of time also had tonsillitis, strep throat and shingles (anxiety I swear makes your immune system all outta wrack). After two years of constant worry, stressing and coming out with allbeit some things but nothing serious like I stressed about I mad ethe conscious decision to accept my anxiety. I told myself at every worry, pain etc. 'I accept this is what my anxiety is doing to me today' I did the CBT stuff, practiced mindfulness and so on. Read the books. Told myself above every day even if I didn't believe it. Rode my physical symptoms through. If they persisted for 2 weeks solid I'd see the Dr. Took medication to take that edge off. Trusted in what they'd tell me either way and did not Google before or after when I knew I'd not handle the stress from it. And in the year since that, I've been the a&e only once and that was because I called a helpline who suggested I go, but when I got there with my partner they took bloods, ran an ECG and told me I'd have to wait then several hours. After an hour, I'd calmed down, realised they wouldn't leave me 3 hours already if it were serious and asked to be discharged. I saw another woman having a worse panic attack than me...put perspective on things. Also since I accepted that I'll always have anxiety to some degree and done above, my physical symptoms have reduced sooo much.

      Still get the odd ache/pain but overall I feel so much better. I'm not getting through life without getting I'll from something, I accept that. But I'm not spending any more time worrying myself over it. If it happens, I'll deal with it then. Xxx

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